Dual drain system with y-hose

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides for a drain system for an appliance. The drain system can include a Y-hose having a flexible end coupled to a supply of water from tub, a recirculating end, and a drain end, a recirculating valve coupled with the recirculating end, a drain valve spaced from the recirculating valve and coupled with the drain end, and wherein the recirculating end and the drain end are connected via a continuous connecting wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/263,598, filed Jan. 31, 2019, entitled DUAL DRAIN SYSTEMWITH Y-HOSE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to an appliance drain system,and more specifically, to a drain system for a washing machine.

SUMMARY

In at least one aspect, the disclosure provides for a drain system foran appliance. The drain system can include a Y-hose having a flexibleend coupled to a supply of water from an appliance, a recirculating end,and a drain end, a recirculating valve having a recirculating inletcoupled to the recirculating end at a recirculating inlet side and arecirculating outlet coupled to a first hose at a recirculating outletside, a drain valve spaced from the recirculating valve having a draininlet coupled to the drain end at a drain inlet side and a drain outletcoupled to a second hose at a drain outlet side, a recirculatingsolenoid coupled to the recirculating valve on a recirculating solenoidside of the recirculating valve, and a drain solenoid coupled to thedrain valve on a drain solenoid side of the drain valve.

In at least another aspect, the disclosure provides for a drain systemfor an appliance. The drain system can include a Y-hose having aflexible end coupled to a supply of water from a tub, a recirculatingend, and a drain end, a recirculating valve coupled with therecirculating end, a drain valve spaced from the recirculating valve andcoupled with the drain end, and wherein the recirculating end and thedrain end are connected via a continuous connecting wall defining ahollow arc.

In at least another aspect, the disclosure provides for a drain systemfor an appliance. The drain system can include a Y-hose having aflexible end coupled to a supply of water from a tub, a recirculatingend, and a drain end, a recirculating valve having a recirculating inletrigidly coupled to the recirculating end at a recirculating inlet sideand a recirculating outlet coupled to a first hose at a recirculatingoutlet side, a drain valve spaced from the recirculating valve having adrain inlet rigidly coupled to the drain end at a drain inlet side and adrain outlet coupled to a second hose at a drain outlet side, arecirculating solenoid coupled to the recirculating valve on arecirculating solenoid side of the recirculating valve, a drain solenoidcoupled to the drain valve on a drain solenoid side of the drain valve,and wherein the recirculating outlet and the drain outlet are arrangedon opposite sides of the recirculating valve and the drain valve and thefirst hose is coupled to a recirculation hose fluidly coupled with theappliance.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present devicewill be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the artupon studying the following specification, claims, and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a laundry appliance, according tovarious aspects described herein;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the laundry appliance takenalong line II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drain system according to variousaspects described herein;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a Y-hose according to variousaspects described herein; and

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of line IVA of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the device as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it isto be understood that the device may assume various alternativeorientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thefollowing specification are simply exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics relating to theembodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting,unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present disclosure provides various structures and components for adrain system for an appliance, such as a laundry appliance 10 shown inthe illustrated embodiment. According to aspects described herein, thedrain system may include structures to facilitate the movement andevacuation of a supply of water from the appliance 10.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a washing machine 10, which willnot be described in detail except as necessary for a completeunderstanding of the disclosure. It should be understood that thewashing machine 10 can include any suitable washing appliance, includinga vertical-axis clothes washer, horizontal-axis clothes washer,combination washer-dryer, freestanding dishwasher, or under-counterdishwasher, in non-limiting examples on which various aspects of thepresently disclosed drain system may be used. The washing machine 10,can include a cabinet 12 defining an interior of the washing machine 10,and a tub 14 provided within the cabinet 12 at least partially defininga treating chamber for receiving articles for treatment, such laundry.The tub 14 may be rotationally operable within the cabinet 12 thatserves as a housing for the components of the washing machine 10. Thewashing machine 10 may further include a door 16 for accessing the tub14 and one or more controls 18 for initiating a washing function of thewashing machine 10.

The controls 18 can be electrically coupled with a controller 20 locatedwithin the cabinet 12. The controller 20 can include the machinecontroller and any additional controllers provided for controlling anyof the components of the washing machine 10. Many known types ofcontrollers can be used for the controller 20. It is contemplated thatthe controller 20 is a microprocessor-based controller that implementscontrol software and sends/receives one or more electrical signalsto/from each of the various working components to effect the controlsoftware.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the washing machine10 taken along line II of FIG. 1 and showing only the lower portion ofthe appliance. The cabinet 12 can be a housing having a chassis and/or aframe, enclosing components typically found in a conventional washingmachine, such as a motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors,transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described furtherherein except as necessary for a complete understanding of thedisclosure. The tub 14 may be supported within the cabinet 12 by anysuitable suspension system 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing machine 10 can furtherinclude a recirculation system and drain system 100 for recirculatingliquid back to the tub 14 and draining liquid from the tub 14,respectively. The drain system 100 may include an over-flow tube 30 fordraining any over-flow liquid or suds that may occur. A coupler may beconfigured to couple the drain system 100 to a supply of water from thewashing machine 10, which may include water from the tub 14. A supply ofwater can include fresh water, wash water, laundry chemistry, and thelike. The coupler may be in the form of a Y-hose 110 having a flexibleend 112 coupled to the tub 14. The flexible end 112 can be directly, orindirectly coupled to the tub 14 and may provide for sufficienttolerance of movement of the tub 14. The drain system 100 can furtherinclude a first hose 140 and a second hose 142, or dual hoses,configured to allow the passage of water from the Y-hose 110 for avariety of purposes such as draining, recirculating, or storing. In someexamples, the Y-hose 110 may be arranged towards a front of the washingmachine 10, adjacent the door 16, such that the first hose 140 andsecond hose 142 are directed from the front of the washing machine 10towards a rear of the washing machine 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drain system 100. The drain system100 can further include a recirculating valve 130 spaced from a drainvalve 144. The recirculating valve 130 and the drain valve 144 may beused for a variety of applications and are not limited to recirculatingand draining only. For example, the drain valve 144 may be fluidlycoupled to a storage container. The recirculating valve 130 can includea body having at least a recirculating inlet side 134, a recirculatingoutlet side 138, and a recirculating solenoid side 156. Therecirculating inlet side 134 may include an inlet port, or arecirculating inlet 132 and the recirculating outlet side 138 mayinclude an outlet port, or a recirculating outlet 136. The drain valve144 can include a body having at least a drain inlet side 148, a drainoutlet side 152, and a drain solenoid side 160. The drain inlet side 148may include an inlet port, or a drain inlet 146 and the drain outletside 152 may include an outlet port, or a drain outlet 150. In someexamples, the recirculating valve 130 and the drain valve 144 includeidentical or mirrored configurations.

The Y-hose 110 may further include a recirculating end 114 spaced froman outlet end, or drain end 116. The recirculating end 114 may becoupled with the recirculating inlet 132 and the drain end 116 may becoupled with the drain inlet 146 such that the recirculating valve 130and the drain valve 144 are in fluid communication with the tub 14 viathe Y-hose 110 and are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. In someexamples, the recirculating end 114 is rigidly coupled with therecirculating inlet 132 and the drain end 116 is rigidly coupled withthe drain inlet 146 such that the spacing between the recirculatingvalve 130 and the drain valve 144 can be substantially maintained.

Furthermore, the first hose 140 may be coupled to the recirculatingoutlet 136 and the second hose 142 may be coupled to the drain outlet150. In some examples, the recirculating outlet 136 and the drain outlet150 are arranged on opposite, or opposing sides of the recirculationvalve 130 and the drain valve 144 such that the first hose 140 and thesecond hose 142 are arranged at outer sides of the drain system 100. Itis also contemplated that the recirculating outlet 136 and the drainoutlet 150 are the same, or corresponding sides, of the recirculationvalve 130 and the drain valve 144 such that the first hose 140 and thesecond hose 142 are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. At leastone of the first hose 140 and the second hose 142 may be coupled withthe over-flow tube 30. The first hose 140 and the second hose 142 mayinclude an outlet end 141 and an outlet end 143, respectively,downstream of the recirculating outlet 136 and the drain outlet 150,which may be coupled with further components of the washing machine 10for draining water, recirculating water, storing water, etc.

A recirculating solenoid 154 may be coupled to the recirculating valve130 on the recirculating solenoid side 156 and a drain solenoid 158 maybe coupled to the drain valve 144 on the drain solenoid side 160. Insome examples, the recirculating solenoid 154 and the drain solenoid 158may be generally perpendicular to the recirculating outlet 136 and thedrain outlet 150, respectively. Furthermore, the recirculating solenoid154 and the drain solenoid 158 may be positioned near the front of thewashing machine 10.

The recirculating solenoid 154 and the drain solenoid 158 may be inelectrical communication with the controller 20 in order to controlwater flow in and out of the recirculating valve 130 and the drain valve144, respectively. In some examples, the recirculating valve 130 and thedrain valve 144 include gates, or valves, within their respectivebodies, which are normally closed. The controller 20 may send a signalto one or both of the recirculating valve 130 and the drain valve 144that triggers the “gate” to open such that water can flow into therecirculating inlet 132 and/or the drain inlet 146 and continue throughto the recirculating outlet 136 and/or the drain outlet 150. When the“gate” of the recirculating valve 130 or the drain valve 144 is closed,water flow is typically restricted. While the recirculating valve 130and the drain valve 144 have been described as normally closed, anysuitable valve and valve mechanism may be used and any combinationthereof. For example, the recirculating valve 130 and/or the drain valve144 may be normally open, and may include a plunger actuator, a linearactuator, etc.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevational view of the Y-hose 110. Therecirculating end 114 and the drain end 116 may be connected, or fluidlycoupled, via a continuous wall 122. The continuous wall 122 may be inthe form of a hollow arc, or arch, where at least a portion of thecontinuous wall 122 includes an elliptical cross-section 120. In someexamples, the recirculating end 114 and the drain end 116 are areflected duplication of each other. Furthermore, at least a portion ofthe recirculating end 114 and at least a portion of the drain end 116may include the elliptical cross-section. FIG. 4A illustrates anexemplary cross-sectional view of line IVA showing the ellipticalcross-section 120 of the continuous wall 122 having a hollow interior128. In some examples, the cross-section along line IVA on therecirculating end 114, and the corresponding cross-section on the drainend 116, may be the smallest cross-sectional area of the Y-hose 110.Referring back to FIG. 4, the flexible end 112 may further includecorrugation 118 and may be positioned at a center 124 of the continuouswall 122. In some examples, the flexible end 112 includes an apex 126formed at the center 124 of the continuous wall 122.

The continuous wall 122 typically cooperates with the flexible end 112to produce a laminar flow of fluid through the recirculating end 114,the drain end 116, or both. Additionally, the continuous wall 122includes a generally smooth arch that traverses between and separatesthe recirculating and drain ends 114, 116. This configuration of theY-hose 110 produces the laminar flow of fluid that provides efficientdraining of fluid from the tub 14 and to the recirculating and drainoutlets 136, 150. The smooth arch of the continuous wall 122 alsoprovides sufficient separation between the recirculating and drain ends114, 116 so that the recirculating and drain valves 130, 144 can bepositioned for convenient attachment to the Y-hose 110.

Benefits of the drain system 100 according to aspects described hereincan include improved drain performance such that drain time is reduced.The dual drain system 100 can be assembled from a single drain system asa field-installed kit. In this way, the washing machine 10 mayoriginally include a single valve and a single hose. By replacing anoriginal inlet hose with the Y-hose, a second valve and a second hosemay be installed. It is also contemplated that two new valves, which maybe identical, are installed such that a user can keep the original valveas a spare part. Alternatively, the dual drain system 100 may be factoryinstalled.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described device and other components is not limitedto any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the devicedisclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unlessdescribed otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present device. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present device, and further it is to be understoodthat such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claimsunless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodimentsonly. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the artand to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understoodthat the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above aremerely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope ofthe device, which is defined by the following claims as interpretedaccording to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine ofEquivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An appliance drain system comprising: a Y-hosehaving a movement-absorbing end coupled to a supply of fluid, arecirculating end, and a drain end; a recirculating valve coupled to therecirculating end at a recirculating inlet side and coupled to a firsthose at a recirculating outlet side; a drain valve spaced apart from therecirculating valve and coupled to the drain end at a drain inlet sideand coupled to a second hose at a drain outlet side; a recirculatingsolenoid coupled to the recirculating valve on a recirculating solenoidside of the recirculating valve; and a drain solenoid coupled to thedrain valve on a drain solenoid side of the drain valve.
 2. Theappliance drain system according to claim 1, wherein themovement-absorbing end includes corrugated structures.
 3. The appliancedrain system according to claim 1, wherein a recirculating outlet and adrain outlet are arranged on opposite sides of the recirculating valveand the drain valve.
 4. The appliance drain system according to claim 1,wherein the first hose is coupled to an appliance recirculation hose. 5.The appliance drain system according to claim 1, wherein the at least aportion of the recirculating end and at least a portion of the drain endeach comprise a cross section having an elliptical outer perimeter. 6.The appliance drain system according to claim 1, wherein therecirculating end and the drain end are connected via a connecting walldefining a continuous arc.
 7. The appliance drain system according toclaim 6, wherein the movement-absorbing end is aligned with a center ofthe connecting wall.
 8. The appliance drain system according to claim 1,wherein the recirculating end is spaced from the drain end.
 9. Theappliance drain system according to claim 6, wherein themovement-absorbing end opposes a portion of the connecting wall.
 10. Theappliance drain system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting wallincludes an arcuate tube and the movement-absorbing end extendsgenerally perpendicular from the arcuate tube.
 11. The appliance drainsystem according to claim 10, wherein the arcuate tube includes anelliptical interior profile.
 12. An appliance drain system comprising: aY-hose having a movement-absorbing end coupled to a fluid supply line, arecirculating end, and a drain end; a recirculating valve coupled withthe recirculating end; a drain valve spaced from the recirculating valveand coupled with the drain end; and wherein the recirculating end andthe drain end are connected via a connecting tube defining a continuoushollow arc.
 13. The appliance drain system according to claim 12,wherein at least a portion of the continuous hollow arc comprises anelliptical cross section.
 14. The appliance drain system according toclaim 12, wherein the movement-absorbing end is positioned at a centerof the connecting wall.
 15. An appliance drain system comprising: aY-hose having a movement-absorbing end coupled to a fluid supply line, arecirculating end, and a drain end; a recirculating valve having arecirculating inlet rigidly coupled to the recirculating end at arecirculating inlet side and a recirculating outlet coupled to a firsthose at a recirculating outlet side; a drain valve spaced from therecirculating valve having a drain inlet rigidly coupled to the drainend at a drain inlet side and a drain outlet coupled to a second hose ata drain outlet side; and wherein the recirculating outlet and the drainoutlet are arranged on opposite sides of the recirculating valve and thedrain valve and the first hose is fluidly coupled to an appliancerecirculation hose.
 16. The appliance drain system according to claim15, wherein the movement-absorbing end comprises corrugation.
 17. Theappliance drain system according to claim 15, further comprising: arecirculating solenoid coupled to the recirculating valve on arecirculating solenoid side of the recirculating valve; and a drainsolenoid coupled to the drain valve on a drain solenoid side of thedrain valve, wherein the recirculating outlet is generally perpendicularto the recirculating solenoid and the drain outlet is generallyperpendicular to the drain solenoid.
 18. The appliance drain systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the at least a portion of therecirculating end and at least a portion of the drain end comprise atube having an elliptical interior profile.
 19. The appliance drainsystem according to claim 15, wherein the recirculating end and thedrain end are connected via a continuous connecting wall defining anarc.
 20. The appliance drain system according to claim 19, wherein themovement-absorbing end is positioned at a center of the continuousconnecting wall.